Amritsar Commissionerate Police, in a joint operation with a central agency, dismantled an alleged interstate network involved in arms trafficking, narcotics smuggling and hawala transactions. Seven people, including an Afghan national and a juvenile, were apprehended, while police seized sophisticated firearms, over 5 kg of heroin and ₹30.38 lakh.
Weapons, heroin and suspected hawala cash seized by Amritsar Commissionerate Police during a joint operation that led to the arrest of seven people, including an Afghan national.
In a breakthrough against organised crime, the Amritsar Commissionerate Police, in a joint operation with a central agency, have dismantled an interstate network allegedly involved in illegal arms trafficking, narcotics smuggling, and hawala transactions. Seven individuals, including an Afghan national and a juvenile, have been apprehended during the operation, officials said.
According to the police, the crackdown led to the recovery of 10 sophisticated firearms, including two sub-machine guns, along with 5.048 kg of heroin and ₹30.38 lakh, suspected to be linked to hawala transactions. The seizure is being viewed as a significant success in efforts to curb cross-border criminal activities operating in the region.
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Punjab Director General of Police (DGP) said in an official social media post that the operation exposed a well-organised network allegedly involved in facilitating the movement of weapons, narcotics, and illicit funds. Preliminary findings suggest that the accused were in contact with handlers based abroad who coordinated their activities through various social media platforms.
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Investigators believe the network was being used to receive consignments of weapons and narcotics from external sources before distributing them to criminal elements and organised gangs operating across different locations. Police officials said the arrested suspects allegedly acted as intermediaries in the supply chain and played a role in transporting and managing the illegal consignments.
The investigation has also uncovered indications of an extensive hawala mechanism used to facilitate financial transactions linked to the network. Authorities suspect the money trail may extend beyond state and national boundaries, pointing to a wider international nexus.
Officials said the network’s foreign links are now under detailed examination. Intelligence inputs and technical evidence gathered so far indicate that several overseas handlers may have been directing the operations remotely while local operatives executed activities on the ground.
A case has been registered at the Islamabad Police Station in Amritsar under relevant provisions of law. Police teams are continuing to analyse digital evidence, financial records, and communication links to identify additional members of the syndicate.
Authorities said further arrests and recoveries are likely as the investigation progresses. Multiple teams have been deployed to carry out follow-up raids and trace individuals suspected of being associated with the network.
Police officials described the operation as a significant step towards disrupting organised criminal activities linked to illegal arms trafficking, drug smuggling, and hawala financing. Efforts are underway to uncover the full extent of the network and bring all those involved to justice.
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